Studying on own...please help

[Csv321]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I studied on my own for the April MCAT and didn't do so well. I have to admit that my attitude was all wrong because I should have been more confident going in there. However, I'm wondering if it was because I studied on my own.

Did anyone do well by studying on their own and not taking a review course?

I read through the Kaplan comprehensive review book and I plan on flipping through that again. I am skimming over the Princeton Review books which I was lucky enough to acquire at no cost. I have the Audio Osmosis CD's and all the AAMC practice tests (3R - 7R)....I've been procrastinating but I plan on really consistently studying this week to keep the wheels turning till August. I feel behind because everyone has started so much earlier (at least since 2 weeks ago when we got our April scores) but if I start now, I have about 6 weeks.

If I utilize all of these resources, will I be ok without the review course? Will 6 weeks be enough time to be ready for August? I need to improve by at least 5 or 6 points.

Please help! Sorry for redudancy of thread...I'm sure it exists out there.....Thanks!

 

[captain hazel]

the main things you get out of paying for a course are:

*materials
*regularly scheduled practice tests
*a set schedule

so you've got the materials, as well as more than enough practice tests. what you've got to provide yourself is structure & discipline so that you get through enough material.

you have the tests: make sure you're taking them (and taking them as full length tests, not in cannibalized sections).

make a schedule for yourself of what subjects & homework you'll be doing every day. and make sure it's reasonable. if you start out planning on reading every bio chapter & finishing all the practice problems by next Thursday, you'll end up giving up on the schedule all together. but you *will* need a lot of discipline over the next month & a half.

good luck! six weeks isn't that long, but it's not like you're starting from scratch. hopefully some of what you studied for April is still sorta fresh in your mind.

 

[willthatsall]

Seriously though, 5 or 6 points? Unless you really didn't prepare too well last time, that is a big increase over 6 weeks.

 

[MoosePilot]

Seriously though, 5 or 6 points? Unless you really didn't prepare too well last time, that is a big increase over 6 weeks.

Also depends where in the range you start. I think it's probably easier to go from a 24 to a 30 than from a 30 to a 36. Just my opinion.

 

[Csv321]

Seriously though, 5 or 6 points? Unless you really didn't prepare too well last time, that is a big increase over 6 weeks.

I felt as if I knew enough but not enough to be completely confident while taking the test. I think that hurt me because I kept second guessing my answers.

The information is still there...somewhere in my brain....I just need to access it again. I'm going to do a lot more practice tests this time and instead of taking a full load, I'm only taking one summer course which starts in 2 weeks and ends the same week as the August MCAT. I also won't be working as much...

I know I can focus and study even if it's going to be hell because I'm hoping it'll pay off in October when I get my score. I scored a 25 in April...not the greatest but I had an even distribution (8, 8, 9)...

I just want to know that studying on my own makes no difference than taking a course and I guess I just want to know that it is possible to improve that much in such a little amount of time..considering I've been through the process just recently....*sigh*

 

[MoosePilot]

I felt as if I knew enough but not enough to be completely confident while taking the test. I think that hurt me because I kept second guessing my answers.

The information is still there...somewhere in my brain....I just need to access it again. I'm going to do a lot more practice tests this time and instead of taking a full load, I'm only taking one summer course which starts in 2 weeks and ends the same week as the August MCAT. I also won't be working as much...

I know I can focus and study even if it's going to be hell because I'm hoping it'll pay off in October when I get my score. I scored a 25 in April...not the greatest but I had an even distribution (8, 8, 9)...

I just want to know that studying on my own makes no difference than taking a course and I guess I just want to know that it is possible to improve that much in such a little amount of time..considering I've been through the process just recently....*sigh*

My advice - don't skim or flip. Figure out what you need to review the most and get deep into it. No breezing through anything, you'd be better served to use that time really poring over stuff.

Also it always sounds like the folks who do the best on their own speak well of Exam Krackers. Do a search on this forum. I used TPR and loved it, recommend it if you decide to retake in April instead.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I'm wondering the same thing. Everyone keeps implying that i *have* to take a course. I never took a course for SATs etc and did fine. Why change now? yea I generally am the world's worst procrastinator. however when i make a committment (even to myself) I do follow thru. So even if it means I literally get 2 hours of sleep a night for the next six weeks, i will get it done. The problem is other than doing one practice test just to test the waters I haven't really done much of anything. So yea I'm starting from scratch. And I'm not sure if it's an advantage or disadvantage but I'm taking orgo over the summer.

When you get back your exam do they tell you what you did well on and what you did poorly on?

 

[MoosePilot]

I'm wondering the same thing. Everyone keeps implying that i *have* to take a course. I never took a course for SATs etc and did fine. Why change now? yea I generally am the world's worst procrastinator. however when i make a committment (even to myself) I do follow thru. So even if it means I literally get 2 hours of sleep a night for the next six weeks, i will get it done. The problem is other than doing one practice test just to test the waters I haven't really done much of anything. So yea I'm starting from scratch. And I'm not sure if it's an advantage or disadvantage but I'm taking orgo over the summer.

When you get back your exam do they tell you what you did well on and what you did poorly on?

No. You get subsection scores (bio/phys/verbal) and that's it.

This isn't the SAT. Trust me on that one 🙂

If you're at the top of the SAT game and suddenly they lop off the bottom 3/4 of the test taking audience, your score doesn't look as good. Add in the fact that med school admission is harder than college (half the applicants don't get in) and you've got a different game. This is beside the fact that the MCAT tests knowledge more than the SAT.

 

[N-toxicologist]

The worst thing (I think) is to study on your own. If you have bad habits, bad techniques, etc., you have no feedback if you study alone. Find someone who IS taking a class that can offer some techniques, and USE them. It's not just how much scientific minutiae you can cram inside your head, or how fast you can recall said minutiae, there's a lot to be said about how you approach the test, your attitude, and technique.

As far as reviewing material, try to teach it to someone else. You retain the most that way, and if you have erroneous information (which is possible on your own), you have the advantage of instant feedback.

Incidentally, a class worked for me because I needed the structure. I'm retaking because I didn't have the right frame of mind in April (wasn't focused, and I knew it). I have techniques and knowledge, and confidence, so I'm quite certain I can raise my score.

 

[climberchick]

I am also studying on my own, mostly because I'm moving in a week to a place where the closest center in 2 hours away. Last year I wrote the MCAT with out studying... haha, big mistake. So I know even if I only study a bit I'll do better. Unfortunately I can't really start studying until around the 8th or so of July, which basically gives me 5 weeks of study time.

From the successfull MCAT writers that I know, the absolute best way to study is to do as many practice questions as possible. So that's all I'm doing. Questions on top of questions.

Anyhow, Just thought I'd let you know that you're not the only one just starting to study. As I'm also telling/reminding myself, you just have to set a schedule and stick to it... unfortunately for procrastinators that's the hardest part 🙁

Good-Luck,
~climber

 

[Csv321]

I'm glad that I'm not the only way tackling this thing on my own. I'm sure there are a lot of others out there but it's good to hear about how they are studying as well.

I am finally really getting started. I'm taking histology which starts in 2 weeks so I'm trying to get as much done as I can for now.

Good luck!

 

[bgreet]

Don't fall into the hype. You can do fine studying on your own, but you really have to be determined. Make sure you have a set schedule and that you adhere to it. My suggestion, use ek's home schedule and follow it. Although you will have to double up on some things you really just have to put the time in and you should be ok.

 

[Sage880]

I didn't take any course but I did buy lots and lots of MCAT books and just studied on my own. Honestly, they didn't help me at all but I still did fine because my undergrad education really prepared me for it. Go do all your old physics and chem assignments again and if you studied biology to remember it (not just short term for the test) you'll be fine. You need to buy books for the verbal actually - practice those as much as you can.

The one thing I wish I had taken a course for was the writing sample. I feel if I spent even a little time learning the tricks and strategies I could have really raised that mark.

 

[UCdannyLA]

My good friend went from a 22 on his first practice MCAT full length...to a 36P on the real MCAT...in a span of 19 days.

But of course...this is what he did:



18 full lengths in 19 days.




So, basically, if you torture yourself enough...you'll be fine.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Here's some anecdotal evidence for ya. My friend did 2 hours a day for a month on her own with a couple of review books from Borders, broke 38.

 

[Csv321]

My good friend went from a 22 on his first practice MCAT full length...to a 36P on the real MCAT...in a span of 19 days.

But of course...this is what he did:



18 full lengths in 19 days.




So, basically, if you torture yourself enough...you'll be fine.

That REALLY gives me hope! Thanks!